A Thank You Letter to My Mother

A Thank You Letter to My Mother

Friday, January 3, 2020

Dear Friends, Supporters and Partners,

I write to announce some wonderful news. As we enter this new decade, Garden Media Group ushers in the biggest change in our history. As of January 1, 2020, I purchased Garden Media from my mom, Suzi McCoy, and am taking over as owner and president effective immediately.

While my brain swirls with inspiration and desires for the company, I’d like to take this time to shine a light on Suzi, and thank her, my best friend, biggest supporter, and mother, for her endless passion – or enSuziasm – for me and for Garden Media. Mamma, there is no one like you!

It took me until my adult years (and then some) to realize what this business is and the courage it took to start it. As a woman and a single mother, starting a business in 1987 wasn’t easy and running it successfully for 33 years must have been extremely challenging and rewarding.

Through it all, one of the things Suzi never faltered on is fun. Life was chaotic at times, but she always managed to find the good in any situation and have a good time.

My training for this job began in kindergarten. In the stories about people like you, companies and plants (so many plants), she passed down intangible lessons as my mentor and mother. From her I learned everything I know about running a business, about being fair, setting the bar high and then higher.

And now it is her time to relax. She worked hard to create the relationships and reputation we have. I won’t get to see her face every day, walk into her office for advice or share lunch when I forgot mine. But I have her intuition. And for that I am eternally grateful.

My mom has taught me that life doesn’t always go as planned. We must take chances and risks, embrace new opportunities with enthusiasm, and even when we find ourselves in doubt, if we believe in ourselves, we can make dreams into reality.

At the end of one of my favorite podcasts, How I Built This, Guy Raz always asks: Is your success due to luck or hard work? I can equivocally say I am the luckiest new business owner on the planet. My mom worked hard for horticulture and to help grow your businesses. We all reaped the benefits of that. And I promise to work as hard to grow this industry and live true to our vision to inspire 320 million Americans to live a healthy gardening lifestyle 52 weeks a year.

If you’d like to send Suzi a note, I’m sure she’d love to hear from you. Please mail to:

Suzi McCoy516 Honeysuckle LaneVero Beach, FL 32963

Thank you and cheers to many successes in the next 33 years and beyond!